Full Series of Ricky Gervais’ Derek Is Commissioned By Channel 4

Following the success of the pilot episode for Ricky Gervais’ latest comedy series, Derek, which aired in April, Channel 4 have now commissioned a full series of the show.

Set in an old people’s home in England. the series centres on Derek, who is played by Gervais, and follows a number of the home’s workers and residents too.

Consolidating an audience of 3.2 million, the pilot episode was Channel 4’s highest rating scripted comedy in nearly two years.

Gervais commented that: “David Brent was an egotistical, failed musician and the most annoying man in the world. Derek is a 50-year-old man with bad hair and clothes, whose best friend is a whinging bald manc twonk. Where do I get my ideas from?”

Written and directed by Gervais, the series also stars his round-hounded friend Karl Pilkington, who we all know from working with Gervais on The Ricky Gervais Show and An Idiot Abroad.

Whilst Gervais’ last comedy series Life’s Too Short, which starred dwarf actor Warwick Davis, didn’t do as well as expected, from the pilot episode of Derek we can be sure to expect a lot more.

Derek is a bitter-sweet comedy drama about a group of outsiders living on society’s margins. Derek Noakes (Ricky Gervais) is a tender, innocent man whose love for his job and the people he cares for shines through. He’s 49 years old and loves animals, Rolf Harris, Jesus, ‘Deal or No Deal’, ‘Million Pound Drop’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ – but his main hobby is autograph hunting. He works in a retirement home with his mate and landlord, Dougie (Karl Pilkington in his very first acting role).Derek cares deeply for old people because they’re kind and funny and tell him stories about the olden days. Hannah (Kerry Godliman) is a care worker at the home and is Derek’s best friend. She’s smart, witty and hardworking, but unlucky in love, and like Derek, always puts other people first. The series will further explore the relationships between this close-knit group as they work in the old people’s home.

Shane Allen, Channel 4 Head of Comedy, who commissioned the series, said that: “Ricky is a leading voice in British comedy and through Derek he captures and reflects something of the spirit of modern society. A kind-hearted character in a world which TV normally shies away from, it feels like a perfect new direction for Ricky. The pilot triggered an amazing response and Derek’s story had only just begun so it’s brilliant that we can explore this world and its beautifully drawn characters across a series.”

Derek will be made by Derek Productions Ltd for Channel 4 and will air in early 2013.